A rehabilitation outfit, the Mallam Kawu Youth Rehabilitation and Orphanage Centre (MKYROC) in Bauchi has appealed for the support and cooperation of the state government to curtail drug addiction among the youths, especially students who adopted such habits while in schools.
The proprietor of the centre, Abdullahi Mohmed Tahir made the call while speaking with journalists in Bauchi yesterday. He said the inability of the government to recognise such private homes and centres has slowed down the tempo of their activities.
The proprietor appealed to Governor Bala Mohammed to identify with the centre so as to boost its morale in serving the public better for the progress, growth and development of the state.
“This rehabilitation is operating in Bauchi from where it is getting praises, from individuals and bodies within and outside the state, and even from countries around the globe, but it is yet to get the recognition of the state government or any public institution in the state despite its humanitarian activities”, Tahir said.
According to him, the centre is awaiting the official visit of the governor of Bauchi State, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for his advice and blessings that could move the centre forward.
He expressed dismay that a significant percentage of the youths have engaged in the use of illicit drugs, saying unless the trend is curtailed, the future is bleak for the youths who were adjudged as leaders of tomorrow.
Tahir, revealed that the centre is intervening in the moral upbringing of children and youths especially in the provision of learning materials and also sponsors rehabilitated students and youth of the centre to tertiary institutions to pursue education.
Kawu recalled that he started the intervention by providing learning materials to the pupils and students of his rehabilitation centre, whom he also sponsors to tertiary institutions in the state for years now without hindrance at ATBU Bauchi, Sa’ad Zungur State University, Gadau, Fedpoly Bauchi, and ATAP, among others.
“At present, the rehabilitation centre has three students at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), five at Sa’ad Zungur State University, Gadau, two at Malikiya College of Health Sciences, as well as at Federal Polytechnic, Abubakar Gatari Ali Polytechnic, and Alkaleri Petroleum Institute, all in Bauchi State,” he said.